Seattle, Washington

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Seattle History

Madame Lou Graham and Seattle's "Seamstresses" (1890s-1900s)

Madame Louise "Lou" Graham (1861-1903[1,2]) was a head seamstress at a business she opened located in Pioneer Square which is now only remembered as Lou Graham's Parlor. She would hire others who lived at the venue as seamstresses offering tailor services, a cover for sex workers at the time. Lou herself had a romantic relationship and partnership with another woman, Amber Delmas[2], and she hired, possibly, transgender women who would be requested by clients as "the lady in the black dress".

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Sources

1. Secretary of State, "King County Auditor, Death Records, 1891-1907"
2. University of Washington, "Port Townsend Daily Leader No. 219 (July 21, 1904)"
3. Libbie Hawker, "Madam" (2018) Historical Note And Acknowledgements
4. Photo courtesy of Paul Dorpat and HistoryLink.org "Madame Lou Graham arrives in Seattle in February 1888."